Cinco De Mayo events

By by camille m. doty/cdoty@vicad.com
May 4, 2011 at 12:04 a.m.Updated May 5, 2011 at 12:05 a.m.

Cinco de Mayo is a widely celebrated tradition with Goliad ties.

General Ignacio Zaragoza was born in the Mexican state of La Bahia Del Espirito Santo, Coahuila, which is now Goliad. His army defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

According to the General Zaragoza Society, the Mexican army was poorly equipped, but triumphant after Zaragoza gave troops his famous patriotic speech. "Your enemies are the first soldiers of the world, but you are the first sons of Mexico. They wish to seize your Fatherland. Soldiers! I read victory and faith on your foreheads. Long live independence! Long live the Fatherland!"

On September 11, 1862, President Benito Juárez issued a decree making Cinco de Mayo a national holiday.

The Zaragoza Society is a 67-year-old organization that exhibits pride and respect for their culture. Cinco de Mayo has symbolic significance. People celebrate with fiestas, parades and civic commemorations.

For 30 years, the society has hosted a pageant for girls to exhibit dresses from different regions in Mexico.

For more information: Contact the Victoria Chamber of Commerce at 361-573-5277 or visit www.victoriachamber.org

Ticket: $5 for adults until 6 p.m. After 6 p.m., entrance price is $10. Children under 48 inches are free.

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Featured bands at the concert: Mingo Saldivar, Roger Creager and Grupo Fantasma

This event will be a celebration of music and family-oriented traditions, featuring food, crafts and entertainers from the Gulf Coast.

Proceeds from the event will finance college scholarships.

Lawn chairs are welcomed, but no coolers allowed.

Entertainment Schedule:

12:30 p.m. - VISD Hip-Hop Dancers (Patio Stage)

1 p.m. - VISD Ballet Folklorio (Patio Stage)

1:30 p.m. - "Alumni" Hip-Hop Dancers (Patio Stage)

2 p.m. - Sarah Rivas (Main Stage)

3 p.m. - YMCA Zumba Dancers (Patio Stage)

3:30 p.m. - VISD Ballet Folklorico (Patio Stage)

4 p.m. - VISD Mariachi

4:30 p.m. - YMCA Zumba Dancers

5:30 p.m. - 24/7

6:30 p.m. - Mingo Saldivar

8 p.m. - Grupo Fantasma

10 p.m. - Roger Creager

1st Cinco de Mayo Fajita Fiesta and barbecue cook-off. Teams will compete in three categories: fajitas, pork spare ribs and brisket. There also will be jackpot beans and beef fajitas. Prizes will be first place, $300; second place, $125; and third place, $75.

Children's fun area will include two large inflatable bouncers/slides, face painting, miniature golf, toys, crafts and clowns.

Dance to free, live music, from bands such as The Majestics, formerly Gone Country, David Valadez, La Guerra Musical and more. Enjoy mariachi and ballet performances.

Do you make the best barbecue spare ribs, chicken or brisket? Get your team together and enter the IBCA sanctioned barbecue cook-off for your share of the $3,000 cash prizes, ribbons, trophies and bragging rights.

For entry form or information, call Carlos Gutierrez at 361-571-3808 or Sonny Vargas at 361-645-4079.

The General Zaragoza Society and Family Of Friends are sponsoring the "Ride For Education" Fun Run. Enjoy the beautiful and colorful countryside and raise money for scholarships.

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For more information: Contact the Victoria Chamber of Commerce at 361-573-5277 or visit www.victoriachamber.org

Ticket: $5 for adults until 6 p.m. After 6 p.m., entrance price is $10. Children under 48 inches are free.

-------------------------

Featured bands at the concert: Mingo Saldivar, Roger Creager and Grupo Fantasma

This event will be a celebration of music and family-oriented traditions, featuring food, crafts and entertainers from the Gulf Coast.

Proceeds from the event will finance college scholarships.

Lawn chairs are welcomed, but no coolers allowed.

Entertainment Schedule:

12:30 p.m. - VISD Hip-Hop Dancers (Patio Stage)

1 p.m. - VISD Ballet Folklorio (Patio Stage)

1:30 p.m. - "Alumni" Hip-Hop Dancers (Patio Stage)

2 p.m. - Sarah Rivas (Main Stage)

3 p.m. - YMCA Zumba Dancers (Patio Stage)

3:30 p.m. - VISD Ballet Folklorico (Patio Stage)

4 p.m. - VISD Mariachi

4:30 p.m. - YMCA Zumba Dancers

5:30 p.m. - 24/7

6:30 p.m. - Mingo Saldivar

8 p.m. - Grupo Fantasma

10 p.m. - Roger Creager

1st Cinco de Mayo Fajita Fiesta and barbecue cook-off. Teams will compete in three categories: fajitas, pork spare ribs and brisket. There also will be jackpot beans and beef fajitas. Prizes will be first place, $300; second place, $125; and third place, $75.

Children's fun area will include two large inflatable bouncers/slides, face painting, miniature golf, toys, crafts and clowns.

Dance to free, live music, from bands such as The Majestics, formerly Gone Country, David Valadez, La Guerra Musical and more. Enjoy mariachi and ballet performances.

Do you make the best barbecue spare ribs, chicken or brisket? Get your team together and enter the IBCA sanctioned barbecue cook-off for your share of the $3,000 cash prizes, ribbons, trophies and bragging rights.

For entry form or information, call Carlos Gutierrez at 361-571-3808 or Sonny Vargas at 361-645-4079.

The General Zaragoza Society and Family Of Friends are sponsoring the "Ride For Education" Fun Run. Enjoy the beautiful and colorful countryside and raise money for scholarships.